Social support in postpartum adolescents: guidelines for nursing assessments and interventions

Abstract

Social support plays an important role in reducing stress for postpartum adolescents. Health care providers should assess social support of postpartum adolescents each time they encounter the health care system. The assessment should include culturally sensitive individual questions or established social support instruments. If social support is found to be inadequate or insufficient, professional support interventions may be indicated. Health professionals should use clinical pathways to guide assessments and professional support interventions with postpartum adolescents.